Reporting Accidents
Accident reporting procedures, RIDDOR requirements, and near-miss reporting.
Key Areas You'll Cover
Overview
Accurate and timely reporting of accidents, injuries, and near misses is both a legal requirement and an essential part of maintaining a safe workplace. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) sets out what must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Reporting is not about blame — it is about learning from incidents to prevent them happening again. Near-miss reporting is equally important, because a near miss today could be a serious accident tomorrow.
At a Glance: This topic covers RIDDOR 2013, reportable incident categories, accident reporting procedures, near-miss reporting, and accident investigation. Focus on the categories of reportable incidents, reporting timeframes, and the importance of near-miss reporting.
RIDDOR 2013
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 require the responsible person (usually the employer) to report certain incidents to the HSE. Reports are made online via the HSE website, or by telephone for fatalities and major incidents.
Key Fact: RIDDOR reports are the responsibility of the employer or responsible person, not the injured worker. However, every worker should understand what is reportable so they can ensure incidents are properly recorded.
Reportable Incidents
RIDDOR defines several categories of reportable incidents. Each has different reporting requirements and timeframes.
Deaths
All work-related deaths must be reported immediately by the quickest practicable means (usually telephone) and followed up with a written report within 10 days.
Specified Injuries
Specified injuries must also be reported immediately. These include:
- Fractures (other than to fingers, thumbs, and toes)
- Amputation of an arm, hand, finger, thumb, leg, foot, or toe
- Permanent loss of sight or reduction in sight
- Crush injuries leading to internal organ damage
- Severe burns covering more than 10% of the body
- Scalping (separation of skin from the head)
- Loss of consciousness caused by head injury or asphyxia
- Any injury requiring admission to hospital for more than 24 hours
Over-7-Day Injuries
Injuries that result in the worker being incapacitated for more than 7 consecutive days (not counting the day of the accident) must be reported within 15 days.
Key Fact: The 7-day count starts the day after the accident and includes weekends and rest days. The worker does not need to be absent from work — being unable to carry out their normal duties counts as incapacity.
Reporting Timeframes Summary
| Incident Type | Report When | Report Within |
|---|---|---|
| Fatality | Immediately (telephone) | Written report within 10 days |
| Specified injury | Immediately (telephone) | Written report within 10 days |
| Over-7-day injury | As soon as identified | Within 15 days of the accident |
| Non-fatal injury to non-worker | If taken to hospital | Within 10 days |
| Occupational disease | When diagnosed | As soon as reasonably practicable |
| Dangerous occurrence | As soon as identified | Within 10 days |
Injuries to Non-Workers
If a member of the public or someone not at work is injured and taken directly to hospital for treatment as a result of a work activity, this must be reported.
Occupational Diseases
Certain work-related diseases are reportable when confirmed by a doctor and linked to work activities:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
- Occupational dermatitis
- Occupational asthma
- Tendonitis and tenosynovitis
Dangerous Occurrences
These are near misses with high potential for serious harm. Reportable dangerous occurrences include:
- Collapse of scaffolding
- Electrical short circuit or overload causing fire or explosion
- Accidental release of hazardous substances
- Collapse of a building or structure
- Contact with overhead power lines
Key Fact: An electrical short circuit causing fire or explosion is a reportable dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR. This is directly relevant to electricians and frequently tested.
Accident Reporting Procedures
Most sites have their own reporting procedures in addition to RIDDOR. Following the correct process ensures nothing is missed.
Steps to Follow After an Accident
- Administer first aid and ensure the injured person receives appropriate medical attention
- Make the area safe to prevent further injuries to others
- Report immediately to your supervisor
- Complete an accident report form while details are fresh in your memory
- Preserve the scene if the accident is serious — do not disturb evidence
- RIDDOR report if applicable — the responsible person must report to the HSE
What to Record
Every accident report should capture:
- Date, time, and exact location
- Name and details of the injured person
- Clear description of what happened
- Details of injuries sustained
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Immediate actions taken
- Contributing factors identified
Near-Miss Reporting
A near miss is an event that did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so. Reporting near misses is one of the most effective ways to prevent future accidents.
Examples of Near Misses
- A tool dropped from height that narrowly missed a worker
- An unreported trip hazard that someone stumbled over
- A cable found to be live when it was expected to be dead
- An unsecured ladder that shifted but did not fall
Key Fact: Organisations with strong near-miss reporting cultures consistently have better safety records. Every near miss is a free lesson — an opportunity to fix a hazard before it causes harm.
Accident Investigation
Serious accidents should be investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Investigations go beyond what happened to understand why it happened.
Investigation Focus Areas
- What happened — the full sequence of events
- Why it happened — root causes, not just immediate triggers
- What can be done to prevent recurrence
- Whether existing controls were adequate and were being followed
The goal is always improvement, not punishment. Blame-focused investigations discourage honest reporting and miss the real lessons.
Safety Considerations
- Report everything — all accidents, injuries, and near misses, no matter how minor they seem
- Know site procedures before starting work — find out where the accident book is and who to report to
- Preserve the scene of a serious accident unless you must intervene to prevent further harm
- Co-operate fully with any accident investigation
- Learn from incidents — attend debriefs and implement recommended changes in your own work
- Encourage reporting — never criticise a colleague for reporting a near miss or safety concern
Exam Tips
Exam Tip: RIDDOR is one of the most heavily tested topics. Know the categories of reportable incidents and the timeframes for each.
Exam Tip: Remember: fatalities and specified injuries must be reported immediately. Over-7-day injuries must be reported within 15 days.
Exam Tip: Understand that over-7-day means more than 7 consecutive days of incapacity, not counting the day of the accident. This specific detail is frequently tested.
Exam Tip: Know the difference between specified injuries (broken bones, amputations, loss of sight) and over-7-day injuries (incapacity for more than 7 days).
Exam Tip: Near-miss reporting questions appear regularly. Understand why it is important — it allows hazards to be identified and fixed before they cause actual harm.
Exam Tip: Remember that electrical incidents causing fire or explosion are reportable dangerous occurrences. This is a directly relevant point for electricians.
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